Will Naomi Osaka give up her US citizenship?

Naomi Osaka

Despite spending most of her life in America, Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka may give up her US citizenship. According to Tennis World USA, Osaka announced in 2019 that she would give up her US citizenship in compliance with Japanese laws that do not formally recognise dual citizenship.

Until now, Osaka enjoyed special privileges granted to her by the Japanese legislation through hafu [children of couples of mixed nationality]. Osaka was born to a Haitian father, Leonard Francois and Japanese mother, Tamaki Osaka.

According to law, hafu can keep double passports till they turn 22 and then need to choose one country as their nationality. Osaka turned 22 in 2019 and repeatedly confirmed thereafter that she would be keeping only her Japanese passport. However, she has reportedly not yet given up her US citizenship. It is learnt that this could happen before the Tokyo Olympics later this year.